The Wild Animal Park is wild no more, after city council voted to change the name of the area to better reflect its Aboriginal history.
Closed since 1995, the Wild Animal Park has been renamed Tatawaw Park, which in Cree means “there is room for everyone; welcome.”
Council voted 5-2 to rename the 475-acre park during its April 8 regular meeting. Councillors Brian Swanson and Heather Eby were opposed.
Eby uses the park hundreds of times a year, and has done so for the past 29 years, she explained. While she was not opposed to changing the name on paper, she didn’t think the name would change in residents’ minds. She pointed out the Wild Animal Park has had its name for 90 years.
“That’s a long time to have been called that,” she added.
While he wasn’t in favour of changing the name of the entire green space, Swanson was in favour of changing a small area of the park. He also pointed out that the park was known in the community as the Wild Animal Park for 90 years.
While Coun. Dawn Luhning was not opposed — although she did wonder why this move was coming now — she was concerned about the area’s future. With possible development there during the next 25 to 30 years, she thought council might be hindering that process with what it names the park.
“I’m really proud of our community,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie.
Tolmie thought it was important to understand the historical context of the area and the opportunities available in that park. Renaming it is a launching point to discuss the historical stories of that area.
“I know there are reservations with the language change. But it starts here … ,” he added. “In 100 years from now, we could have something amazing in that area.”
The parks and recreation department received a request from the South Hill Community Association and Tatawaw renaming sub-committee to rename the Wild Animal Park, according to a report from city administration.
Research indicates Aboriginal people lived in the area since the last 1700s, with the park containing many archeological artifacts, the report explained. In June 1928, a group of Moose Javians organized the Moose Jaw Wild Animal Park Society, and on May 24, 1929, the park opened for the first time.
The Moose Jaw Lions Club assumed responsibility for the park in January 1959. The park then became part of the province’s regional park system on April 1, 1962, before the provincial government took ownership on Nov. 1, 1975.
The Wild Animal Park ceased operations in 1995, while in 1998, the City of Moose Jaw acquired the property from the provincial government.
City administration asked for public feedback about changing the park’s name in February. It received 13 emails, with data showing:
- 54 per cent of people supported renaming the Wild Animal Park to Tatawaw Park
- 46 per cent did not support renaming the park
City hall also received letters of support to rename the park from the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association, the Moose Jaw Heritage Advisory Committee, the New Southern Plains Metis Local No. 160 and the Wakamow Valley Authority.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for April 22.
